Dedicated to OladoyinAbigailZacc❤❤

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. --1 John 3:1 (KJV)

Tayo had been born into a wealthy home. Wealthy was even an understatement as his family was one of the wealthiest and first grade royal families in Nigeria. His parents, Oba Aderopo and Olori Aderonke, along with the other wife, Olori Ariyike, were well-known to be the most fashionable King and Queens among the royal families nationwide. The love among them was unrivalled but it hadn't always been so.

Oba Aderopo, then Prince, had been married to Aderonke when he was done with his studies in the University of London. They both had attended the same university. He hadn't been a prince bothered about the throne because he still had an elder brother who was meant to be next in line for the throne after his father. However, an unforeseen accident had cut short his life and his father, Oba Adewale had died not long after then. Oba Aderopo had been summoned back to Nigeria to take on the throne. He couldn't refuse as it was his Royal duty to the throne but that didn't mean he had wanted to.

At first, it had been hard and difficult for Yetunde, now Olori Aderonke, to accept but she had been prepared for it. Somehow, they both had talked about the possibility of him being called back home to rule, but that had been one time and it was hypothetical. Their hypothetical discussion had become a reality and they were needed. They had rushed back to Nigeria and were now the King and Queen of Igbohoni in the city of Ibadan. The King had taken on one more wife after a lot of pressure and they all lived in the palace.

Olatayo's royal name was Adekitan. He had always been a bright boy and had gotten in the tertiary institution quite early. He also attended the University of London to pursue degrees in Business and Accounting. As a young prince, he had always had this feeling of emptiness and incompleteness despite all the opulence and attention surrounding him. He just couldn't place his finger on it.

He had tried to use knowledge to fill it up and that led him to become even more knowledgeable. When that wasn't enough, he tried his hands on alcohol and then to hard drugs but they all failed to fill that emptiness. He couldn't understand it. He had everything humanly possible that any human could ever want but he just wasn't satisfied. There had to be something more. His family was there for him, but he still felt lost in the family probably because of the number of siblings he had both from his mum and step-mum. He felt the love but it still wasn't enough.

His family was there for him when he went into drugs and other philandering ways. Thankfully, it hadn't become an addiction, so it hadn't been difficult to stop. But he still felt that void and then he met Doubra Obeh.

Oh, it was almost a love at first sight for him.

****

Tayo saw Doubra for the very first time some weeks after he had gotten clean. He had come visiting during his final school break before graduation and was bored of just being in the palace, so he had taken one of the cars and invited his friend, Dipo, along. Oladipo was one of the Chief's son and had been friends with Tayo, for as long as he could remember.

Tayo had wanted to see how the city was since his last visit and they had just walked into one of the most expensive restaurants in town, The Raddington.

Tayo was busy taking in the sight of the restaurant as he said, "I believe you have been here before, Dipo."

"Guy, of course. And their services are impeccable with delicious food too. You won't be disappointed, trust me," Dipo enthused. "They have like the best services especially for a town like ours."

"Okay, if you say so. And since you have been here before, I think you should just order for me," Tayo had continued as a waiter approached their table.

While Tayo continued to check out the details of the restaurant, he noticed that their interior decorator had gone for a garden-like feel, especially with the flowers and plants strategically placed at different spots within the room. The square tables had four chairs each with the table tops covered with plain white and plain burgundy table clothes. A soft jazzy kind of music was playing on the speakers fitted into the high ceiling and the air in the room was cool, but not too cold.

It was refreshing to see such a place in his city. As he continued his musing, he caught sight of a dark-skinned beauty walking into the restaurant with another lady. He felt like he hadn't seen another beautiful lady in his entire life. To an onlooker, his gaze would have seemed stalkerish because he was gazing intently at the young lady till she and her companion sat down at their own table.

Dipo, who had been trying to get his attention, also turned to see what had gotten his friend all quiet.

"Ah ha! Tayo," he said with a wink, "so that's who has you all quiet this evening. Guy, they have brought our food. Let's eat."

"Uhm, yeah yeah. We should eat," Tayo replied in embarrassment over being caught staring.

Still, he kept stealing glances at her all through their lunch and Dipo had to tell him to go talk to her.

"Okay okay. I know one of the ladies, so we can go talk to them," Dipo said.

Shooting him a glare, Tayo growled, "And you couldn't tell me that sooner?"

Tayo, being the gentleman that he was, waited till they were done before walking over to the ladies' table. He noticed that as he approached them, the ladies shot him quizzical looks as if to ask what he wanted. On getting to their table, their quizzical looks had changed to one of recognition as they greeted him.

"Hello, Liza. How are you doing?" Dipo greeted as he moved to give her a hug.

"Oh. Hi, Dipo. I'm doing good," the one named Liza replied, smiling.

"Good day, Prince Adekitan," both ladies chorused.

Taken aback, Tayo tried to downplay the formal greeting as they invited him and Dipo to have their seat.

Turning to the dark-skinned beauty, he asked, "May I know your name, Miss?"

In a soft voice, she replied, "I am Doubra Obeh and this is my friend, Elizabeth Fatokun."

One who met Doubra for the first time would have thought she was a quiet and gentle person, but underneath all that was a very mischievous person. She and Tayo had become fast friends, almost inseparable since that day. They texted, chatted, called and even had video calls. When Tayo asked her months later about her first impression of him, she described feeling like she had known him for months and having good vibes about him.

Doubra had cried when he had to return to complete his last year of University, and Tayo had had to write a contract with his name and signature stating what will happen to him, should he renege on his promise to keep in touch.

The love and friendship between them continued to blossom despite the ocean-wide distance between them. However, one of the things that stopped Doubra from accepting Tayo fully was the fact that he wasn't a Christian, a believer like she was. And anytime she brought it up, Tayo always came up with excuses and reasons for him not becoming one, and she always kept it at that. This continued even when he was in school and they talked over the phone.

Tayo also knew that Doubra wouldn't say yes to him, unless he accepted the faith. So, he didn't come out to speak of his feelings for her. However, one of the things that made him fall deeper in love with her was the calm and joy that she exuded. It was a contagious one. He began to question his own way of life and he didn't like the answers he came up with.

Then one day, he had an encounter.

When he finally returned, his friendship with Doubra became more. His proposal was met with a resounding yes. And they lived happily together.

Till Doubra slept.

Tayo had just returned to school to complete the necessary requirements needed before his graduation from the University of London.

One day, he decided to go to the church nearest to him. The weather was freezing cold and he was bundled up in every available warm clothing he had. As he walked into the auditorium, he felt a kind of warmth envelope him. A warmth that his clothes or the church's heating system couldn't be accountable for and had broken down in tears right at the entrance.

The ushers tried to move him into the auditorium, and helped him to a vacant chair at the back as the worship session continued. He couldn't explain it. He couldn't even understand what was going on with him. All he knew was that he felt filled up, the emptiness replaced by something indescribable. It was a feeling and at the same time, not a feeling. He just felt whole and right at that moment, he stood and rushed towards the altar, broken yet mended.
Dead, yet alive.

He called Doubra right after still a blubbery mess. He finally felt the peace he had always seen on her face. It was a joyful time, with her in tears over what God had done.